Telegram-herald., 1887-07-03
A BROOKLYN HOLIDAY. essI
sunday In Prospect Park and the Sub
urbs.

sunday IN frospect fatk ana the Suo-
g special Correspondencel
Nrw YORK, June Is
Never did lovelier day dawn on the
metropolis than last Sunday. It was just
cool enough, the sky was dazziingly clear and
there was air enough in motion. The recent
rains had washed the face Of nature TO purity,
ihs air was full OF ozone, and every ore Of
ne 500, 600 people iii New York and Brook
lyn felt the impulse to get out doors and 20
omewhsre And Yearly all who were able
lid go-50, 600 or more 10 the Long Island
suburbs and islands down the bay, as many
or more TO New Jersey, an even larger num-
Der TO Central park and Harlem, while all the
loose footed clerks and laborers OF Brooklyn
turned 70 the eastern suburbs, especially to
Prospect park.
Though much smaller than New Yorks
Central park, the Brooklyn retreat i, quite as
beautiful, and in a few hours there 1 wit
messed the most pleasing of all scehss to an
American-20.00 900 OF the 20 called compon
people enjoying themsslvsb With all the free
dom heart could wish, and Yet without dis
order, hilarity without drunkenness, play
without rudsness, and perfect order without
the services Of a single policeman. As test
OF our progress in self government the scene
was truly sublime. In perhaps dozen places
stood policemen 70 direct the visitor that
certain plots OF grass or shrubbery were re-
served, but only TO direct. There were nc
tresspassers, no drunken men, no fights, no
arrests. The sovereign people were there to
enjoy their own, and not 10 mar or deface it
And in conversation with these guardians /
learned that public opinion and popular taste
have so advanced in recent years that guar
dianship is scarcely needed. Objects Of art
are never defaced now: there is no breakage
and decorum is maintained in the walks and
green retreats. 1t is the great resort of the
sober middle classes, and very rarely, indeed
srs the police called 20 quell any disturbance
! The place has tranquilzing effect, and to
see thousands OF families, parents and children
in groups. walking under the trees. lying on
the grass, or taking in the pleasures Of the
lake or booths. was a rest 10 .he wearied mind
The serpentine lake, which winds in and
ont among groves and rocky shores for mile
! or more, was dotted with pleasure boats; the
aged and the lazy paid dime OF two for the
privilege Of being rowed or carried swiftly in
the steam yacht. but the young and ardent,
especially the muscular lad with his lest girl in
tow. seized the occasion 70 display strength
and skin with the oars For he little folks, the
greatest attraction was at the whirling swings
l and imitation horses. What does posses
/ children OF about 10 or 12 years, that they
will beg to be whir,ed swiftly in circle so
small, that an old fellow grows dizzy in look
/ ing at them; OF that, for want Of a swing,
they viii turn round and round till they fall
| to the ground with swimming of the head p
No moderate sum would tempt some Of us old
| fellows edo it. and it il recorded that ore of
the crrselsst tortures Of oIden times consisted
in whirling the victim around till he was
senseleSsL Perhaps this Is the juvenile sub
stitute for the intoxicstion older ones get
from strong liquors At any rate the wooden
horses are always in demand, and the little
ones scream with delight a. they are swept
swiftly around the Circle The little carrisges
drawn by goats are not half so attractive,
but they are we'll patronized by a more sober
/ class Of juveniles. II il easy 20 see that the
older people are there to rest; they ssunter
gently in shaded paths, lie in the grass, or or
nament the handsome benches. and their most
exciting e--...sement Is found in a carriage
ride or sad on the lake. The best hours TO
visit Prospect park are from 3 ?. N. ill dark
{ The street car lines completely encircIe the
E plot. and in three minutes walk from the car
one may Be in a grove 50 profound and se-
cluded that there Is no sign a rrsst city
F.. beinz within a thousand miles. Hin, grove.
. lake and grassy mead have All the beauty of
nature. improved but not usrred By art
( Heavens blessing on the men who reser we'd
/ TIE parks Of New York and Brooklyn
J. n BEADLK